The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1887-02-24

MAY RE GROWN. and in the skill 10 use the
very ,,~, merhodS which may be known.
to h" va, lost advantage
2rIe:. ftt poverty and ignorance Of our
farm as a class, demand that hey shall
be = IN Learnt z everything which viii
/ tend heir advancement.
Bird The worn out lands which have
been Ia cultivation for years and years de
mand the most intelligent. careful, as well
as economical ire ,tment.
Unless we establish schools for special
technical training, are we likely to get it
in North Carolina! Do we now get it! |
would like to mention a comparison be
tween the results obtained from our clas-
steal colleges on the one hand, and tech
nica or purely agricultural college on the
other
About the close of the scholastic term Of
1885, | obtained information from
the most reliable sources. concerning grad
uates from North Carolina Colleges and
what they proposed to do for an occupa
tion in lite.
Replies were received concerning forty
five graduates, fORTY-ONE of whom ex-
pected to go into the professions, three
INTO commerce, one into farming and not
one into plrely mechanical profession.
On the other hand, Il few years since
the Alabama College of Agriculture in
which Il Mechanical Department was just
th' II developing, took pains to enquire in
10 the occupation OF its former Students
OF a given number 222 were engaged in
Agriculture, 10 in Mechanical pursuits,
20 III va Ious professions and 80 in Com
mcrce. The overwhelming majority, till
ing the soil
Our classical colleges in the main, turn
out non producers And labor has 50
little dignity in the minds Of our Agricul-
turlsts that am sorry to say, but still
Thoroughly believe, that as soon as farm
er ittalnS 10 any degree of competence, he
sends his son to College with the purpose
OF educating him away from the soil.
Many after unsucce>stul!y essaying to earn
a livelihood in the professions, drift back
into farming. and Mr. Chairman, if he
farming class must depend I its educat-
ed members upon this drift wood, its con
dltiOn Is cOnfessedly dep orable.
The apprentice system has been tried
and III many respects found wanting
Trade choois are good in their way but
cannot compare in usefulness with good
industrial Schools which teach the hand
with the head in the various avOcations Of
manual labor. Other States are doing
this work. Why cannot North Carolinal
Nj. Chairman is such a sch,o or college
desired and demanded by the people of
North Cs%rplinaI | answer that 1t is.
The Press Convention at their annual
convention discussed this general subject
at considerable length, and an informal
Vote showed ioRfS 10 ONE III favor OF The
inauguraIinn of Il scheme of industrial
training The ONE had not made up bis
mind.
The farmers of the State who attend. q
the meeting on the 18th Of January ut the
call OF our Governor, III this Hall, de
manded such education in no uncertain
tones.
The General Farmers Convention held
in Metropolitan HALL on January 2Gth,
nearly 300 delegates, by re
markably unanlmity, requested the Legs
lature 10 establish such 4 college and i:
remains now, Mr.. Chairman, for the wis
dom of our General Sembly to provide
for the wants and needs of our people 50
etlphaticaIly demanded by the leading
class Of citizens III our great common
wealth.
Can the Legislature afford to ignore
these demands Would il not be unwisc
III Legislators to do ao:-EDIToR.